Local volunteers, equipment aiding in Sandy disaster relief

Published: Wednesday, October 31, 2012 at 7:02 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, October 31, 2012 at 7:03 p.m.

Volunteers and equipment from the Etowah and Cherokee County chapters of the American Red Cross have been deployed to help with disaster relief from Hurricane Sandy according to Joy Ballenger, mid-market community chapter director.

Ballenger on Wednesday said the chapter’s Emergency Response Vehicle was stocked Saturday and left Sunday for New Jersey, where it will be used for providing meals and distributing supplies.

She said two disaster relief volunteers, one from Cherokee County and another from Gadsden, have joined disaster relief efforts.

One volunteer is working with shelter operations in New Jersey and the other is working with the ERV in canteen operations and in damage assessment.

“Deployments are still going out,” Ballenger said. “We could have some more. We should have some more.”

She said 37 volunteers from Alabama have gone to help and said several chapters also have sent their ERVs.

About 9,000 people spent Tuesday night in 171 Red Cross shelters in 13 states in the Northeast.

Ballenger said financial contributions rather than supplies are needed, and contributions can be made at the chapter office at 405 First St.

Donations can be made online at www.redcross.org or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS. Also, a $10 donation can be made via mobile carriers by texting the word REDCROSS to 90999.

<p>Volunteers and equipment from the Etowah and Cherokee County chapters of the American Red Cross have been deployed to help with disaster relief from Hurricane Sandy according to Joy Ballenger, mid-market community chapter director.</p><p>Ballenger on Wednesday said the chapter's Emergency Response Vehicle was stocked Saturday and left Sunday for New Jersey, where it will be used for providing meals and distributing supplies.</p><p>She said two disaster relief volunteers, one from Cherokee County and another from Gadsden, have joined disaster relief efforts.</p><p>One volunteer is working with shelter operations in New Jersey and the other is working with the ERV in canteen operations and in damage assessment.</p><p>“Deployments are still going out,” Ballenger said. “We could have some more. We should have some more.”</p><p>She said 37 volunteers from Alabama have gone to help and said several chapters also have sent their ERVs.</p><p>About 9,000 people spent Tuesday night in 171 Red Cross shelters in 13 states in the Northeast.</p><p>Ballenger said financial contributions rather than supplies are needed, and contributions can be made at the chapter office at 405 First St.</p><p>Donations can be made online at www.redcross.org or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS. Also, a $10 donation can be made via mobile carriers by texting the word REDCROSS to 90999.</p>